16 Gifts to Make New Parents' Lives Easier

by Anne Fritz

Updated on November 19, 2017

Whether you’re a proud new auntie or you’re looking for the perfect present for you college roommate who just had her first, you can’t go wrong with gifts that help make new parents’ lives a little calmer and saner in some way. That means solving problems, like the age old question “What’s for dinner?” or finding that special item that mom or dad never knew they needed, but will quickly wonder how they ever lived without. Read on for the definitive gift guide for new parents.

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In This Article

1 / 165-Minute Dinner

1 / 165-Minute Dinner

2 / 16Smart Speaker

3 / 16A Glass of Wine

4 / 16Stroller Mittens

5 / 16Curated Clothing Box

6 / 16Dinner for Older Siblings

7 / 16Make Diaper Changes Easier

8 / 16A True Lifesaver

9 / 16Make Clean Ups Easier

10 / 16Diaper Subscription

11 / 16On-Demand Movies and TV Shows

12 / 16The Gift of Life

13 / 16Keep the Kids Busy

14 / 16Baby Food Delivery Service

15 / 16Matching Jammies

16 / 16Photos Made Easy

5-Minute Dinner

New Parent Gift Basket

Why We Love It

When you can’t be there yourself to drop off a casserole, the next best thing is to order a batch of homemade soup to be delivered. This is better than a meal kit, because there’s no slicing and dicing required and minimal cleanup. All mom or dad has to do is warm up the soup on the stove top or in the microwave. The gift basket comes with four servings of your choice of soup, six bacci rolls, six cookies of your choice, and a ladle. You can choose from classic chicken noodle, tomato basil, butternut squash, and vegetable. And the soups are delivered no signature required so mom or dad don’t even have to be home (or answer the door if busy with baby) to get it. It’s like a hug in a box!

Smart Speaker

Amazon Echo

Why We Love It

When mom or dad’s hands are constantly full — holding baby, feeding baby, burping baby, changing baby — they can still stay connected with the outside world via voice commands and the Amazon Echo. With the brand new second generation Echo, they can ask Alexa to make calls or send texts without having to pick up their phone (or even know where their phone is #babybrain), find out the weather, traffic, or the score of the big game, create a grocery list, order a pizza, set alarms and timers, play music, and so much more. If their home is set up as a smart home, Alexa can turn lights on and off, adjust the thermostat, and turn on the sprinklers, basically everything except change the baby’s diapers!

A Glass of Wine

Vinebox 12 Nights of Wine Advent Box

Why We Love It

No doubt about it, mom and dad need a glass of wine! The beauty of this wine delivery service is that they send single-serving bottles of wine, so if the new parents only have the energy to drink a single glass without falling asleep or mom is nursing and closely monitoring her alcohol intake, you’re not buying a full bottle that will only go to waste. The other advantage is that it gives parents the ability to experiment and taste a bunch of different wines. Then when they find a favorite, they can order a full bottle (to be enjoyed down the line) that will be hand-selected to match preferences to be delivered right to the door. The Advent Box comes filled with 12 pre-selected wines, or order 1-month, 3-month, or a full year subscription that will be tailored to mom and dad’s specific tastes. (Not a fan of reds? No problem. Want to stick to the classics? Check!) Cheers!

Stroller Mittens

7AM Enfant Stroller Warmmuffs

Why We Love It

Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean mom, dad and baby need to stay cooped up inside. And while babe no doubt has a choice of cozy and cuddly blankets for braving the elements, mom or dad could likely use a little help. That’s where these stroller mittens come in. The muffs, lined with super-toasty microfleece, attach directly to the stroller, where they stay. That means there’s no hunting for gloves before you head outside and —even better—mom and dad don’t have to struggle taking them on and off every five seconds so they can attend to baby on their outing. They just slip their hands in the mittens and they’re good to go. Genius!

Curated Clothing Box

KIDBOX

Why We Love It

No doubt baby got more newborn sized onesies than could fit in her drawers and likely one or two formal outfits that she only wore for one quick photo shoot before getting drool on it. But now that she’s a few weeks or months older, she might have a few wardrobe gaps. That’s where KIDBOX comes in. It’s a style box that’s curated specially for baby. You (or mom or dad) take a quick quiz regarding baby’s sizes, favorite colors, wardrobe needs (play clothes, tops, etc.), and favorite brands. Then a week or two later a box with six to seven items from brands like Giggle, Burt’s Bees Baby, and Cutie Pie Baby. The icing on the cake is that for every box sold an item of clothing is given to a child in need. Talk about a win-win!

Dinner for Older Siblings

Yumble

Why We Love It

Getting dinner on the table is hard enough. Getting dinner on the table when you have a newborn? Next to impossible. With Yumble, at least they’ll know older brother or sister are getting a healthy, nutritious meal that they’ll actually eat. This kid meal delivery service will show up on their doorstep with ready to eat or microwave meals that are made with kids in mind. Think Quinoa Pizza Cups, Rainbow Tortellini, and Chicken Pops all served up with a side of yummy veggie like sweet potato fries, carrot sticks, or popcorn cauliflower. The meals can be customized for allergies and dietary restrictions. (No eggs? No problem. Vegetarian household? All good. And nothing contains peanuts.) Kids will love the crayons, coloring sheet, and star chart that come with each delivery.

Make Diaper Changes Easier

Skiphop Light Up Diaper Caddy

Why We Love It

While a diaper changing table in the nursery is a definite necessity, by now mom or dad has likely learned they can — and do — wind up changing baby in whichever room they’re in. This portable diaper caddy, from the same brand as one of the top diaper bag designs, has room for diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream, and more and it comes in a chic gray fabric that will match any decor. Best of all, there’s a touch-sensitive light in the easy grip handle to light up middle-of-the-night changes or feedings. It automatically goes off after 10-minutes. Why didn’t we think of that?!

A True Lifesaver

EBL Rechargeable Battery Pack

Why We Love It

Granted, this isn’t the cutest or most Instagrammable gift they’ll ever receive, but we guarantee it will be a favorite. The next time baby’s bouncy seat, mobile, or night light stops short in the middle of baby’s meltdown or naptime because the batteries died, you’ll be instantly elevated to hero status! This battery recharger holds four AA batteries and four AAA ones and charges them in as little as four hours. They’ll never run out of batteries again!

Make Clean Ups Easier

Black + Decker Cordless Lithium Hand Vacuum

Why We Love It

Here’s another useful, must-have gift that will win you big thanks: a cordless hand vac. It will come in unbelievably handy when babe starts eating solid foods — and inevitably tossing those little Cheerios on the floor. You’ll save mom or dad from having to drag out the big vacuum for quick clean ups. The long nozzle that rotates also makes it great for retrieving toys that mysteriously end up deep under the sofa and for cleaning out the car and car seat. This vac has Smart Charge technology and is lightweight, bagless and easy-to-clean.

Diaper Subscription

Honest Co. Diaper and Wipe Bundle

Why We Love It

Here’s a gift they’re 100 percent guaranteed to use and love: a diaper subscription service. Each delivery includes six packages of Honest Co.’s eco-friendly diapers that are lotion-, fragrance- and latex-free, plus four packs of unscented wipes. Honest Co. isn’t just known for its earth-friendly products; it also offers the cutest prints in diapers. Think holiday-themed prints, favorite sports teams, pop-art strawberries, giraffes, and more that you can mix and match in each order. Send as a one time gift or as a monthly-delivery.

On-Demand Movies and TV Shows

Netflix Subscription

Why We Love It

You’re already a fan of Netflix for its shows including Stranger Things and House of Cards, and those are one of the reasons your friends will love it. But you may not know Netflix offers an impressive range of original and second run children’s programs and popular movies. Even very young kids will appreciate shows like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Stories, a reading of Eric Carle’s beloved book with classical music in the background. Speaking of music, toddler siblings will love Beat Bugs a show about cute bugs; mom and dad will be instant fans because each episode is based around a Beatles’ song sung by a popular singer or group like The Shins or Eddie Vedder. (No more obnoxious earworm theme songs that will stick in your head all day. Hallelujah!) And when mom and dad do finally have time to sit down to watch a show of their own choosing, they can binge to their hearts’ delight.

The Gift of Life

Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

Why We Love It

With a new baby in the house, runs to DD or Starbucks are a thing of the past. New parents will be grateful for a coffee maker. We like this one because it’s programmable so they can set it so they have a fresh cup of Joe the second they wake up. We also like that at four cups capacity, it’s one of the smaller coffee makers available. That means A) If mom or dad needs a quick hit of caffeine in the later morning or afternoon, it’s simple to brew a pot for one B) It’s fast and C) You can pause its brewing midstream so on those days they’re really desperate, they can have their coffee pronto. This has a permanent filter so there’s one less thing for them to worry about. Give the maker along with a selection of your favorite ground coffee for the perfect combo gift.

Keep the Kids Busy

Alex Jr. My Busy Town Wooden Activity Cube

Why We Love It

Those curious little fingers will be happily occupied for hours with a five-sided activity cube like this one. The top has a bead maze toy that delights babe while working his small motor skills and each side of the cube holds its own brightly-colored delights. There’s the knob racer, alphabet letter blocks that spin to reveal a cute illustration of an item that starts with a corresponding letter, and little peek-a-boo doors to open. As baby starts to stand, it’s sturdy enough for him to pull himself up on. Parents will be happy to have a toy with no little pieces and zero flashing lights and noise. It measures 16 x 12 x 12 inches.

Baby Food Delivery Service

Pure Spoon

Why We Love It

Many a parent dreams of making baby’s first mashes and purées, but in reality, it can be time-consuming and messy. Enter Pure Spoon. They’re products are made of 100 percent organic ingredients that are cold pasteurized then packaged raw or lightly steamed to retain the most nutrients, vitamins, and flavor. They’re so tasty, in fact, mom or dad just might steal one as a snack! You can choose from first foods carrots, apples, and pears as well as blends. The company claims it’s the only baby food company to offer avocado as an option. The foods come in BPA-free recyclable plastic and can be eaten directly from the fridge or microwaved. When you sign parents up for a gift subscription, there’s a 10 percent savings. The products are also available at Whole Foods and Walmart.

Matching Jammies

Pajamagram Tartan Plaid Flannel Pajamas

Why We Love It

There’s nothing cuter than kids in matching jammies, except for the entire family in ‘jamas that match! These are a super-soft cozy flannel to keep the whole family warm and cozy all winter long. Mom and dad’s version has a handy breast pocket that’s perfect for stashing their phone — or baby’s bottle when hands are full. The baby version is a footie to keep little tootsies warm on the coldest nights. There’s even a matching version for pups! The infant onesie is available in sizes zero to three months to 24 months; mom’s 2-piece pajamas are available in sizes XS to 2X and dad’s 2-piece pajamas are available in sizes S to XXL.

Photos Made Easy

Shutterfly Gift Card

Why We Love It

With the free Shutterfly app, parents can easily upload all those adorable pics of baby eating her solids for the first time, splashing around at bath time and those month-by-month birthday shots to the site. Parents get unlimited photo storage and can share their photos with up to six family members and friends. From there, they can order unlimited free prints and an array of photo gifts, including photo books, which is where you come in. They’ll thank you for a gift card that covers the cost of shipping on those prints or the add-on products that help them commemorate baby’s first year and beyond.

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